Baby Sling | Ring Sling | Mei Tai | Baby Wrap | Baby Carrier | Links

Overview:

Carrying your baby in a baby sling or baby carrier enables you to bond with your child which is said to make your child calmer, healthy, and more socialable throughout their development stages and rest of their life. A baby carrier is also very practical by allowing you to be hands free while at the same time still looking after your baby. Their are many different styles of baby slings and baby carriers that can be used to carry your baby and it can be very confusing deciding what is best for you and your child. The aim of this site is to guide you through the various choices of baby equipment available that can be used to carry your baby.

The Different Styles of Baby Carriers:

When choosing a baby carrier you need to take into account the different ways it will allow you to carry your baby or child, for example on your back, hip or stomach. You also need to take into account the age of your kid, along with the weight of your child and what features the baby carrier has. You also need to decide on what type of carrier is also good for you as well as your child allowing you to be hands free to get on with any tasks.

Below is an outline of the different types of baby slings and baby carriers available along with a heading link which if you click will take you to a more detailed description of each of the different types of baby carriers. To my knowledge their are 5 different kinds of baby carriers available to carry your baby in.

Mei Tai

A Mei Tai is an Asian Baby Carrier, which some people also just call an ABC. A mei tai is a rectangle of fabric with four straps, two for the shoulders and two for around the waist. The straps are criss crossed and tied to keep your baby safe. A meitai allows you to use it as a front baby carrier or a back baby carrier backpack style.

Baby Wrap

A baby wrap is a large piece of fabric that the parent wraps around themself and their baby. The parent must learn the about the different ways of using baby wraps including using a baby wrap as a front carrier, a hip carrier or wrapping the baby on your back. Their are many ways to wrap your baby and this can be quite difficult if you have never used a baby wrap before, however, there are some beginner tying styles that can be easily learned by anybody.

Baby Pouch, Papoose or Sling

A baby pouch, baby papoose or sling is very basic, light, portable, easy to use and quick to put on and take off as well being very easy to get your baby in and out off. The papoose provides privacy for a mother allowing the parent to breastfeed discretely in public places. It can be used for newborns in a cradle position as well as for more older children at the side of the hip as a hip carrier. Once your baby gets older; strain can be placed on the shoulder that the baby sling is used on as it is a one shoulder sling. A baby pouch can come in different sizes including small, medium, large and extra large and it is important that you choose the correct size for yourself.

Ring Sling

A baby ring sling is very similar to a baby papoose (baby pouch or baby sling) but it has the added benefit of a ring which is used to adjust the size of the baby sling. This means that 1 size fits all and therefore you do not need to choose the correct size like a baby pouch. However it also has it's drawbacks. It is more heavier than a baby papoose and it is also bigger and has a ring so cannot be easily folded into your pocket like a baby papoose. It is also slighty more complicated than a baby pouch.

Baby Carrier or Baby Back Pack

Baby back packs offer a lot more support padding and are more stable than other carriers. People use them for everyday tasks as well as leisure activities like hiking where you can get a wide range of hiking baby carriers. You can get baby back packs or baby front carriers also called baby front packs. These are usually alot bigger and heavier than than a baby pouch, ring sling, mei tai or baby wrap and often have quite a few adjustment straps involved. Baby Carriers which can be used as a back pack or front pack come in a variety of brands including the the Ergo Baby Carrier and Baby Bjorn.